What Are the Long-Term Effects of Thyroid Cancer?
When thyroid cancer is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages, a patient can potentially experience a more favorable outcome and quality of life. Also, research is ongoing, and scientists are continually discovering new and improved diagnostic techniques that are leading to better detection rates. As a result, thyroid tumors are being spotted earlier, sometimes before they require aggressive treatment or pose a significant health risk.
Possible health complications of thyroid cancer
With all of that said, there are some longer-term health risks associated with thyroid cancer that may become apparent later on, especially in patients who are diagnosed and treated at a young age. For instance, some possible health-related complications include:
- Osteoporosis
- High blood pressure
- Heart rhythm disorders
- Heart valve disease
Some of these risks are related to the ways in which the cancer is treated. For example, in some cases the entire thyroid gland is surgically removed. This treatment may be followed by radiation therapy given in the form of radioactive iodine, as well as high-dose thyroid hormone replacement, which may cause certain side effects.
How can the long-term risks of thyroid cancer be minimized?
At Moffitt Cancer Center, the multispecialty team in our Thyroid Clinic takes an individualized approach to treatment. Among other factors, we carefully consider a patient’s risk of recurrence in order to develop an effective treatment plan that also minimizes the risk of both short- and long-term health effects. We offer a full range of innovative treatment options, including the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques and advanced tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, as well as organ preservation, speech and swallowing therapies.
If you’d like to learn how to minimize your risk of experiencing long-term thyroid cancer effects, contact Moffitt. You can request an appointment by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing our new patient registration form online. No referrals are necessary.